Okay, I guess I might be considered Smith’s biggest critic when I end up receiving text messages from people writing things like:

“Enjoy your Richard Smith got fired party.”

Nope, no partying for me. For me, it is never a party when people get fired, and besides, who knows who they are going to hire? If they don’t replace him with someone better, it is an opportunity lost.

Out of the press conference, I found the following quote one that concerned me the most:

(on if he prefers someone who is an experienced play-caller as a defensive coordinator) “That doesn’t concern me. I’m sure that I will end up talking to guys that have been coordinators in this league for a great length of time. I’m sure I will interview some guys who have not been coordinators that I think have a chance to be excellent coordinators. I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about finding the best fit for our football team and the guys that we have here.“

Also, as related to getting a 4-3 coach, he says:

(on if the candidates have to have a 4-3 background) “Well, obviously, we’ve got a lot of work put in in that area and would like to stay there, but at the same time, I think we’re just going to do what’s best for this team, find the best football coach, and we’ll do that.“

In other words, he is keeping his options open, and I suppose he has to because as he learned with the last defensive coordinator search, you don’t always get your first choice.

Personally, I think the best fit for this team would be an experienced defensive coordinator that the players can believe in. Preferably a 4-3 guy. When you have an offensive-minded head coach, you need a coordinator that you can hand the keys to the defense to and not worry about it. We don’t need any more learning on the job guys, especially in an area of weakness, where good decisions need to be made on draft and free agent personnel, and with a very young defense.

One benefit that the offense has had in 2006 is that so many of the coaches came from the Denver offensive system, they could show them tape of what things are supposed to look like. That you had a system and philosophy on offense that the players who weren’t used to it could look at and emulate.

If you have a defensive coordinator with a track record and philosophy, he can do the same thing. The defensive players are begging for someone who has a proven and easy to learn system they can buy into. I guess a key position coach on a dominant defense could also do that, but I fear that a lot of those guys will be tied up in the playoffs for a while.

So, if I am opening Bob McNair’s wallet, I would open it wide for a quality defensive coordinator. It is the logical next step. Clearly the defense has been an albatross for this team. Even an average defense would prevent the offense from having to play from behind so much. This is a defense in need of direction and purpose, other than being way below average. Please please please.

The Texans could be an appealing spot for a good defensive coordinator. Texans owner Bob McNair treats his coaching staff well and with respect, doesn’t meddle and the DC would have more freedom than he would have working under a more defensive oriented coach. Though the defense has a number of needs, there are some key players on staff that you could build around if you knew what you were doing.

  

One question I’ve received is why did some coaches get canned and why were some kept? The following is just my semi-educated guess….

Those who got the boot:

Richard Smith. I’ve already explained why he needed to go. It also sounded like he lost the locker room.

Jethro Franklin. Lots of first round picks on the line and yet the Texans pass rush is still Mario Williams and Mr. Nobody. Prior to joining the Texans, Franklin spent one year with Tampa Bay coaching the line before being fired after their pass rush stats went into the toilet. It is sad that the Texans have yet another year where they need to invest in the line.

Jon Hoke. The Texans were his first NFL job. His best secondaries were with players he did not develop, like Aaron Glenn.

All of these guys are big time yellers without maybe the background to justify the yelling. If you are a yelling sort of coach, you better have the coaching chops to back it up. A good example of this is Alex Gibbs. He’s allowed to yell. Coaches who have had a variety of random jobs with little success in any of them, not so much.

Those who stayed:

Senior Defensive Assistant Frank Bush. Bush was one of the guys that Kubiak originally wanted as a co-defensive Coordinator, and Kubiak says he is being considered for that position. I am hoping he is a Plan B option for DC because there’s nothing in his background that makes me think he can fix this defense. Resumes, of course, don’t coach teams, but I like coaching choices that give me hope, and this would not be one of them.

Linebackers Coach Johnny Holland. If you listen to rumors, it is Johnny Holland who was the one who lobbied to draft DeMeco Ryans. Ryans sings his praises.

Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Ray Rhodes. Kubiak says that Rhodes stays but doesn’t say under what capacity. The Texans have moved coaches to one position to another to keep them with the organization but allowing new people to come in before. They did that with former defensive line coach, Bob Karmelowicz.

Though some would prefer a clean sweep to the defense, I do see some merit in keeping personnel to help bring the new personnel up to speed.

In any event, if you want to tell the Texans how important it is to you for them to acquire a quality defensive coordinator with a proven track record, you can contact them here.